Species of palm
Attalea phalerata is a species of palm tree known by the English common name urucuri palm, the Portuguese common name urucurizeiro, and the Spanish common name shapaja.[1] Other common names include motacu[2] and bacuri.[3] It is native to Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru,[1] where it grows along southern and western Amazonia.[4] It is the most common palm tree on the Pantanal.[5]
Description
This palm grows up to 18 metres (59 ft 1 in) tall, the trunk rarely reaching more than 4 metres (13 ft 1 in).[6][7] It has up to 30 feather-like leaves.[7] The bright orange fruits are up to 11 centimetres (4.3 in) long.[7]
Ecology
This palm species is of ecological importance and grows in many types of forest; individuals become fertile at 7-10 years of age (1 m height).[6] Flowering occurs throughout the year and fruiting twice per year.[6] The seeds are dispersed by tapirs, which swallow the fruits whole,[8] and by rheas, agoutis, spiny rats of genus Clyomys, and caracaras. The hyacinth macaw consumes the seeds and may disperse them, as well.[3] The sheaths of the palm often accumulate the seeds of other plants, which are sometimes deposited there by Artibeus jamaicensis, a frugivorous bat. The seeds sometimes germinate there and grow as epiphytes on the palm tree.[5] This palm tree is commonly pollinated by sap beetles of genus Mystrops and weevils of tribe Madarini.[9] The weevil Pachymerus cardo is known to be a seed predator on this species.[8] Rhodinus stali, an insect which is a vector of Chagas disease, may infest this tree.[2]
Uses
The tree has human uses. The leaves are used to thatch rooftops and the fruits are fed to pigs and other livestock.[2] It is a source of vegetable oil.[10] It is one of the most economically important palm species in Bolivia, where it is known as motacú.[6][11]
